Isle of Wight Observer Issue 45

Observer

28th June 2019

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‘Allo ‘Allo tickets up for grabs

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Missing Rosie still not found

Photo: Chris Cornford

It’s all go for Bo Jo!

Our future PM (?) was keen to take a peek inside the Island’s fastest growing newspaper...

Friday 28th June 2019 Issue No.45

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Address: Suite 6, 17 Thomas House , St. Thomas Square, Newport, IW, PO30 1SL Publisher: Isle of Wight Observer Ltd. Sales: Carole Dennett, Emma Harper Email: sales@iwobserver.co.uk Online editor: Sandy Clarke Production: email: productioniw@icloud.com Photography: Chris Cornford

The IW Observer is a member of IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor of the Press. For more information on the IW Observer complaints policy and how to make a complaint visit: iwobserver.co.uk/make-a-complaint/

Crossword Answers Answers for crossword page 33

28th June 2019

Boris Johnson attended a well-organised visit to local shipbuilding firm Wight Shipyard, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of high-speed ferries and aluminium craft based at Venture Quay in East Cowes. He toured the factory, learning about the UK work and export success of the company and their history and plans for the future. Following the factory tour Boris was shown around a recently completed, high speed, luxury ferry, the Lady D from Wight Shipyard’s Ultramar range, which will soon be on its way to Mexico to ferry passengers from an offshore Island to a water theme park.

Following the visit Katie Pender, PA to Wight Shipyard’s CEO Jo Daly, said “Although it was organised at the last minute it was a very successful visit and we all enjoyed Boris bringing a touch of showmanship to our factory today. He was very obviously impressed with the skills of our workforce and the cutting-edge nature of our products and kept telling us things were ‘marvellous’. Seeing him standing in front of the Union Jack building and posing for the media scrum clearly brought out

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the best in him.

“Whatever you think about Boris’s politics he is a great performer and the very welcome publicity this visit brings will undoubtedly do wonders for Wight Shipyard and the Island.”

Talking to the media afterwards Boris said that “Day one in No 10, if I am lucky enough to succeed, I want to increase education funding around the country, and I want areas like the Isle of Wight which I think have not been getting the uplift they should have been getting, to level up, and that is absolutely crucial.

We also need to be doing things for infrastructure to make places that seem a bit inaccessible like the Isle of Wight, to get some funding to help with that as well”.

Asked by the Isle of Wight Observer how he would help farmers who have to either sell their produce on the Island or pay to transport it across

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the Solent he said “I absolutely understand that and as part of the Island deal we want to look at, we will try to do what we can to support local farmers. We need to understand the particular constraints that people operate under on the Island, it’s a fantastic place and a wonderful holiday destination, but people need to acknowledge that there are extra costs and extra difficulties involved.” He added that he had visited the Island a number of times himself.

Speaking more generally about Brexit he thought there was now more common sense among MPs and an understanding that we really must leave on October 31. He added that he was not aiming for a No Deal outcome, but it is necessary to understand that it has to happen and if it must be a No Deal then ‘so be it’. Pictures by Chris Cornford

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Hunt and Johnson go head to head in Shanklin The Conservative leadership contest came in force to the Island yesterday (Thursday 27) with a visit by both candidates to speak to IW Conservative Association members in a hustings in Shanklin. Jeremy Hunt spoke first at Shanklin Conservative Club at about 1pm, with Boris Johnson following later in the afternoon at 4.30pm.

Unlike the hustings organised

by Conservative Central Office there was a veil of secrecy over the meeting, with local press unable to report on what was said by either candidate.

One member who did not wish to be named attended the hustings said ‘Jeremy Hunt was quite good at some of the detailed answers, but Boris seemed to have more support in the room and he definitely received more applause for what he had to say, while Jeremy got applause for one or two of his answers. Boris was much more informal, and I

The Isle of Wight Observer planned to give both Conservative leadership candidates equal coverage, but despite e-mailing and messaging Jeremy Hunt’s campaign team we did not get an invitation to the public part of his visit in Yarmouth. A spokesman for Jeremy Hunt’s campaign apologised for this mistake and provided a photograph (below) and the following statement from Mr Hunt:

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“The Isle of Wight is incredibly special to me because my mum and dad got married on the Island. My mum grew up in Totland Bay and I’ve been here for loads of holidays. It’s just a fantastic place to be. My commitment is that as prime minister, I will make sure that the prosperity that we have in London and the home counties spreads to the whole country because we as Conservatives are the party of the whole country.

Here on the Isle of Wight there are particular concerns about transport links and the success of businesses on the high streets. My plan to remove business rates for 90% of high street shops will be the boost that firms on the Island need.”

I would always listen carefully to Bob Seeley who is a formidable local MP. During my time as Health Secretary I was acutely aware that the local NHS sometimes gets a bit cut off from the rest of the NHS, and that’s something we’ve got to improve. I’m also determined to see school standards rise across the country - I want us to be the Conservative Government that ends illiteracy amongst children. We must make sure we’re a country where no party of the country gets left behind.”

think we all recognised that if both candidates were walking down Regent Street Jeremy would have to be introduced to people while Boris would attract attention and have people coming up to him. He has a star quality about him.’

Another member who was present commented ‘I think Jeremy came across very well, while Boris blustered a bit. He said that May’s Withdrawal Bill was a very bad piece of legislation, but when challenged on why he voted for it on March 29, I found his answer unconvincing when he said that he thought it could be improved afterwards. Boris got more laughs and built up a better rapport with the crowd but they both got a good cheer at the beginning and end. Lots of people said they had not made up their mind how to vote, I’m not sure whether today will have convinced them either way.’

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Heartbroken family slam intrusive media coverage A heartbroken family have been left devastated by what they regard as intrusive press and internet coverage, following the loss of a much loved grandfather at an isolated thatched cottage near Chillerton’.

87-year-old Ramon Birt, who had been ill for some time with asthma and breathing difficulties, passed away on Sunday. His heartbroken wife, Elsie, who initially had little desire to live without her life partner, attempted to follow her husband.

Ramon and Elsie had been married for 63 years when Ramon passed away. Ramon left two daughters, Jackie and Madeline, five grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

The IW Observer spoke with grandson Tyson Betts and his fiancee, Amanda Kirvan. They said of their grandparents: “They were very loving towards their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“They were a really lovely couple, who lived for each other, with never a love so strong. They never used each other’s names, just using the simple word, ‘Darling’ to address each other.”

Tyson and Amanda have been angered by some press and media coverage of their much-loved grandfather’s death.

They said: “We as a family have had no time to grieve. Grandad was ill. Unfortunately, a couple of internet news sites and a local newspaper tried to make the story far worse than what it was, implying that something drastic had happened, when it had not.

“We were also horrified that some members of our family were only informed of the death through the media, rather than through the proper channels.

We really have had no private time to grieve.”

Some less reputable internet news sites had attempted to sensationalise the tragedy by implying that their grandmother, Elsie, may have had a role in her husband’s death.

Tyson and Amanda said: “We as a family are disgusted that they have turned what should be a love story into a horror story.

“Our grandmother was being branded as a murderer, when clearly she is not. Our grandad would be turning in his grave if he knew how gran was being treated by some unscrupulous journalists.

“As a family we feel they’ve tried to sensationalise a private tragedy. Why didn’t they just tell the true story, which is a love story?

“We as a family are disgusted that some news sites have turned what should be a true love story into a horror story.”

Tyson and Amanda finished by stating: “You will be truly missed. You were very loved. You’ll always be in our hearts, forever and always. God bless.”

Elsie and Ramon Birt

Many happy years were spent at their thatched cottage near Chillerton

Serious collision at Briddlesford Police are appealing for information following a collision which took place on Briddlesford Road in Newport.

Officers were called to the scene at 5.45pm this evening (Thursday 27 June) with reports that a BMW and a Vauxhall Astra had collided.

The driver of the Astra sustained serious and life-threatening injuries.

She has been taken to Southampton General Hospital for treatment.

Two occupants of the BMW left the scene on foot and remain outstanding at this time.

We would like to speak with these two men as soon as possible as we are concerned they could be injured, and would like them to assist our enquiries into this collision.

If you were in the BMW, or you know the occupants, please call us.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident 704, June 27, 2019.

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The position includes contacting existing and new clients, using a simple database and a basic knowledge of computer skills is required.

Hours required are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

This is a full time position and includes a standard pension and holiday scheme. An opportunity of an additional bonus scheme for the successful applicant will be available.

Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and have their own transport.

Please call: 07976

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28th June 2019

Investigation launched into Cowes Red Jet parking issues IW Observer readers angry with the parking arrangements in place in the Red Jet terminal have contacted us with stories of what they believe to be unfair treatment following our front page story last week about a parking ticket issued to Caroline Ross.

Mrs Ross successfully appealed against the ticket on the grounds that she couldn’t leave the terminal because her vehicle had been boxed in by other traffic and Premier Park Ltd, (who enforce parking restrictions on behalf of Red Funnel who own the land), should have allowed a ‘grace period’ after the 15 minute parking allowed. A grace period of ‘a minimum of 10 minutes’ is required in the British Parking Association’s (BPA) Code of Practice, which Premier Park are supposed to abide by.

One reader with an unhappier outcome to her appeal against a fine she believes to be unfair is Mrs Joice Hamilton of Newport, who picked up a friend from the Red Jet on 14th April.

After receiving a £100 fine through the post she tried to appeal on Premier Park’s website but was unable to do so as the website advised her that the PCN (Parking Charge Notice) could not be traced. When she received a further

notice from the company she appealed by letter pointing out that after entering the yard her vehicle had quickly become ‘boxed in’ by other traffic and that it would have been impossible for her to leave more quickly ‘without the assistance of a crane to lift my vehicle over the other vehicles blocking me in’.

The PCN shows that her car was in the controlled area for only 20 minutes yet her appeal was rejected. She said ‘It seems that Premier Park are applying their rules unfairly and inconsistently.

Mrs Ross was allowed a 10 minutes grace period, but I was not under similar circumstances. That can’t be right and I am taking this up with them. I think Red Funnel should be ashamed of the way they are treating Islanders who are just picking up their customers, it’s not as though we are parking there and going off shopping. It feels like entrapment and I would like to know if Red Funnel are taking a cut of these unfair parking fines and if so how much it is. Good on the IW Observer for highlighting these problems, at least other Islanders may avoid the expensive and stressful ordeal I am trying to deal with.”

Other readers claimed that the needs of disabled drivers had been disregarded, that there had been no

signs erected warning of the change to parking enforcement and that signs were sometimes not visible due to the presence of other vehicles and are not clearly visible at night. There have also been complaints on social media with Colin Welfare stating that he had won an appeal by pointing out that the signage was inadequate and the rule of 15 minutes parking with no return for an hour didn’t allow for late or missed ferries.

In a further development the Isle of Wight Observer were contacted by Lawdit Solicitors, who are shortly to open an office in Newport. They were outraged by the way that Islanders are being treated by Premier Park and have offered to take up cases free of charge to examine whether parking penalty notices are valid.

IW Observer raised a number of the issues brought to our attention by readers with the British Parking Association. Shortly before we went to press (Thursday 27) we received a statement from a spokesman for the organisation saying ‘ ‘We have opened an investigation on this and will provide a comment once it has concluded.’

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By Peter White

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REJECTED

Shop local!

Support our local businesses 1. Initial Parking Notice - You will see that the duration shows 20min, because they adhere to the British Parking Associations Code of Practice they should allow a 10min grace period over and above the 15 minute waiting period.

2. The threatening letter - This is what you receive prior to action being taken threatening that the charge could be increased.

3. Internal appeals procedure - this is Premier Park saying they don’t agree with your appeal, surprise surprise!

IF YOU PARK WITHIN THE GUIDELINES (IE 15MIN PLUS 10 MIN GRACE PERIOD) THEN A TICKET IS NOT PAYABLE. CALL LAWDIT SOLICITORS TODAY - DO NOT PAY THE FINE UNTIL YOU SPEAK TO LAWDIT.

Red Funnel says...

“RingGo recently subcontracted the enforcement to Premier Park, which manages more than 1,000 parking areas both in the public and private sectors.

Premier Park continues to enforce the rules that have been in place since May 2017, when the automatic number plate recognition technology was installed.

“The signage in and around the car

park complies with the British Parking Association (BPA) standards and while Premier Park does allow for a reasonable grace period, to take into consideration any delays that may occur on the ferry service, we remind customers to keep updated on the ferry travel times by visiting our website for regular travel updates.”

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28th June 2019

Missing Rosie still not found Officers on the Isle of Wight are continuing to appeal for information to help trace missing 22-year-old Rosie Johnson. The National Police Air Service helicopter from Redhill was seen in the skies over Wootton on Thursday as the search continued into the late hours.

Despite the significant number of resources involved, Rosie has yet to be located. Rosie’s family are being supported here on the Island after flying down from Scotland.

Rosie, who is from Glasgow and the niece of a Scottish Member of Parliament, works at Little Canada activity centre in Wootton, and was last seen at the centre on the evening of Sunday, June 23.

She has mousey brown hair and is of slim build. She was last seen wearing a dark blue puffa jacket and trousers.

Police officers, and volunteers from Isle of Wight Search and Rescue, Hampshire Search and Rescue and the Coastguard will be continuing their search in and around the Wootton Creek area.

Inspector Andy MacDonald, said: “We have serious concerns for Rosie’s welfare.

Information suggests she is still on the Island so this is where we are focussing our search. However, we would ask anyone with any information about her whereabouts to contact us as soon as possible.

“I would like to repeat our request for members of the Wootton community and surrounding areas to check any sheds, outbuildings or boats. Please carry out a thorough search and call us on 101 if you think you see or find anything that could assist our search.

“Residents will notice a lot of activity in the area today while we carry out our enquiries. If

Photo: Demonstrators, right Vix Lowthion - Green Party

Report, Support, Respect?

Pictured: Rosie Johnson they have any concerns, they are encouraged to come and talk to us.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting 44190217273.

Boris Johnson’s visit to the Isle of Wight on Thursday afternoon, to take part in an IOW Conservative hustings with his leadership rival Jeremy Hunt, led to a protest in St Thomas’ Square Newport to coincide with the hustings.

14 people, thirteen women and one man, attended the mass protest, demonstrating the strength of feeling against the Conservative politician on the Island. One woman, Sue Salmon, held up a placard stating, “Get off me”,the words screamed by

Boris Johnson’s girlfriend, Carrie Symonds, in the heat of a late night argument in her flat.

According to organisers of the protest, the response of the Conservative Party and the IOW MP, Bob Seely, to these allegations have been disrespectful and disappointing in the extreme. Bob Seely has now transferred his support from Michael Gove to Boris Johnson in the Conservative leadership election.

Vix Lowthion said in a speech at the protest: “This

is not about one or two people. Women who take a stand in public are being manhandled.”

One of the organisers of the protest, Felicity Radak, said: “We would like to encourage people to report, support and respect with regard to domestic abuse. Report individuals, support survivors and respect people.”

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10 great things to do at the 2019 County Show It’s the Royal Isle of Wight County Show on Sunday, June 30, but with 35 acres of activities to choose from, where do you start? The Show’s Chairman, Graham Biss, has put together a ‘Top 10’ to get you going. “Let us entertain you!” says Graham. “All we ask is that you get here early, when the gates open at 9am, so you can pack everything in!”

1. You might have seen them on the telly, but don’t miss the chance to see the Household Cavalry on the Island!

They’re performing their famous Musical Ride, so wave a Union Jack and marvel at their skill and showmanship.

Time: 11am and 2pm in the Main Ring, sponsored by WightFibre.

2. Mooove over to the Village Green and meet three pedigree Guernsey cows from the Briddlesford Lodge Herd.

Milking demonstrations: 11.30am, 1.30am and 3.30pm, on the Briddlesford Lodge stand.

3. Watch in hay-mazement as teams push giant hay bales over an obstacle course, while they’re squirted by waterpistols! The Big Bale Corporate Challenge is sponsored by Moore Stephens – and all proceeds from the event (and indeed, the entire Show) will go to the Rural Careers Fund, which supports young Islanders who want to learn agricultural skills. Time: 11.30am in the Main Ring.

4. Head for the Village Green for traditional – and not so traditional – entertainments.

You can see extreme circus performers, listen to a brass band, jig along with the Morris dancers, and relax outside the Village Pub. Time: 9am-5pm.

5. Tour the Showground with a free tractor and trailer ride. Then head for the Southern Co-op’s Food Pavilion for a spot of lunch, rounded off by cake in the WI Tent. Time: 10am-5pm.

6. Try clay pigeon shooting – the cost is included in your ticket, so you can fire away for free! No pigeons are harmed, just discs of clay. Time: 10am-4pm, in the Country Pursuits area.

7. Children can play at being a farmer and lead a calf – but can you get the calf to follow your lead? Time: 1.15pm1.35pm, Livestock Demo Area.

Or have you ever tried herding a pig?

There’s a technique to it... but will you bring home the bacon? Time: 2pm2.30pm, The Pig Ring.

8. Trot along to the Equine Area, where children can have a ride on one of Island Riding Centre’s ponies, in return for a small donation. These ponies are so friendly and happy that apparently one of them even smiles! Time: 10am-4pm, the Equine Rings.

9. Step back in time and visit the Woodland Area where you can watch craftsmen displaying traditional skills.

Ask nicely and they might let you have a go. Time: 10am-5pm Woodland Area.

10. Don’t miss the live auction of lambs and pigs, with quickfire patter from auctioneer Charlie Coleman. It’s fascinating to watch - just don’t move a muscle unless you want to take 10 pigs home with you! Time: 3pm (sheep area) and 3.20pm (pigs area).

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Bob Seely slams Island development plan at packed Bembridge meeting Over 100 Bembridge residents attended their village hall last Friday (June 21) to share their concerns with MP Bob Seely about proposals to build 180 new homes on two greenfield sites in the village.

The houses are earmarked for land north of Mill Road and east of Hillway Road in the Island Planning Strategy (Island Plan) which proposes 9,600 new homes be built over the next 15 years across the Island, many on greenfield sites.

The Island MPs campaign against the proposals has already gathered support from other rural areas, including Wellow. Across the Island, over 4,000 concerned residents have completed his survey and petition.

Bob Seely said: “The homes planned are not for Islanders, there are too many of them and they will damage our green landscape which is vital for our visitor economy and quality of life.

We need to prioritise looking after our older and young people and make sure one and two-bedroom properties are available for them. We need balanced communities and new houses need to have real social purpose and fit in with the Island’s natural beauty.

“The draft Island Plan is unsustainable.

I’m working with the IW Council to persuade Government to grant the Island exceptional circumstance. We need a unified voice to say no to the Government.”

At the Bembridge meeting, resident, Bruce Huber, said: “I was shocked to learn the proposals to build 180 homes here on the edge of Bembridge filling our village probably with several hundred more cars, not to mention no thought given to the infrastructure requirements, healthcare, education, transport services and the jobs.

“We can’t have 10,000 homes building over 1,000 acres of greenfield site and still preserve the outstanding natural beauty. We need a different plan, we need exceptional circumstances and it really comes down to a requirement for all of us to work together.”

BobSeely is encouraging residents to

sign his petition and raise concerns with their local councillor.

The MP is traversing the Island, attending further meetings in Brading, Northwood, East Cowes, Ryde and Wroxall and welcomes invitations from other Island towns and villages wishing to discuss the proposals.

A group of concerned Island residents have come together under the name, Campaign for a Better Island Plan, to support the MP’s campaign.

Ian Wellby, from the group, said: “It was great to see so many Bembridge people standing up for residents’ rights to determine the future of their village.

“The Island plan is a con. It claims to be serving the needs of local people, but the planned housing isn’t for local people at all.

The Council’s own research shows it is primarily for those looking to move to the Island, often to retire.

“The current Plan poses a grave threat to the Island’s muchloved rural character and landscape, and I don’t believe the majority of Islanders want it. The Campaign for a Better Island Plan has commissioned expert research that will highlight the demographic imbalance and destruction this Plan will cause. We’re looking forward to publishing it in the coming

Agency said: “We are pursuing our own criminal investigation into Southern Water due to suspected permit breaches at a number of its sites.” As a result of the actions of Southern Water customers are to get a rebate of at least £61 each. Southern Water will pay a total of £123m to customers, as well as a fine of £3m. Each customer will receive at least £17 in 2021 and at least £11 per year for the following four years.

Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Dave Stewart, said: “On behalf of our residents, visitors and our Island environment, it is vital for us to be informed if wastewater sampling specific to our area was involved in this matter or not.

“We will be in contact with Southern Water and the relevant investigating parties, including Ofwat and the

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weeks.”

Bob Seely’s survey and petition against the housing targets can be found here: http://islandvision.uk/ islandplan/#part3.

Southern Water hit with record fine for sewage spills A record £126m fine has been imposed on the Isle of Wight water provider, Southern Water, for spills of wastewater into the environment from its sewage plants and for deliberately misreporting its performance. The water company regulator, Ofwat, stated that, proportionate to the size of the business, the penalty for the failings was the highest it had ever imposed.

Southern Water has over 300 wastewater treatment sites and it is not known whether any spills have taken place on the Isle of Wight. The Environment Agency, which has the power to take court action if companies’ actions damage the natural environment, has launched a criminal investigation into the case. Court proceedings are expected to start shortly.

In a statement, the Environment

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Environment Agency, to establish this detail. Until then it would be inappropriate to speculate.”

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Ice rink to return to Ryde in proposals for new multi-sports centre

A plan has been submitted to build an exciting, new, state-of-the-art indoor sports and education centre in Ryde, which will include a new ice rink.

The new centre, to be called Smallbrook Ice and Leisure Centre (SILC), will provide a full size ice rink for recreational figure skating and ice hockey, two multi-sports courts to include netball, volleyball, basketball, badminton or croquet as well as three dedicated tennis courts. The centre will include a large climbing wall and soft play area, consisting of six trampolines, a mini climbing wall, a mini football pitch, monkey bars, maze and slides and ball area with a themed design of dinosaurs and unicorns, along with a café and a sports shop. The funding for the centre dependent on raising funds and applying to various funding grants including Sport England. The new centre, to be called Smallbrook Ice and Leisure Centre (SILC).

Local resident Zyrieda, who is spearheading the venture, has brought together a collaborative group made up of Ryde Arena Community Action Group (RACAG), Ryde School, the Isle of Wight Council and its Regeneration Team, and other sports clubs.

The development will be next to Smallbrook Stadium and, if the application is successful, the sports centre could be open within the next 12 months.

Malcolm Marshall, of the Ryde Arena Community Action Group, said: “The plans for the Smallbrook ice and leisure centre were previewed to a packed room of the Ryde Arena Community Action Group. We’re so delighted with the proposal and give full support to the development, which will bring back skating and ice-hockey to the Island along with a wide range of other activities for all Islanders.

“Many of our young people and their parents and carers are showing great resilience by continuing to skate and play ice hockey on the mainland, but many others, unfortunately, have had to suspend their dreams. We warmly welcome the rapid development of an improved facility and will campaign to ensure that the Council and national funding bodies give their full support to have the centre open within 12 months. There has already been rapid progress and we hope that we will see our Island skating and hockey community back on ice soon.”

Richard Hutchins, Chairman of Ryde Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, said: “What a fantastic project that will benefit the Island and all sports clubs. We have been waiting a long time for indoor tennis courts. This scheme will complement the excellent work already undertaken by the clubs and will have a significant impact on promoting junior tennis on the Island. Good luck!”

Round the Island 2019

The annual Round the Island Race, which will be held on June 29 this year, regularly attracts over 1,400 boats and around 15,000 sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world. Competitors come from all over the UK, other parts of Europe and as far away as the USA, to follow the 50 nautical mile course

round the Isle of Wight. Starting on the famous Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, the fleet races westabout, to the Needles, round St Catherine’s Point and Bembridge Ledge buoy, and back to the finish line at Cowes.

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THE OBSERVER GUIDE

Guides, Brownies and Rainbows join ‘Scoutfest’

Due to popular demand, The Great Wonderfest has now invited Girlguiding to partner with them for ‘Scoutfest’ to create the best Scouts and Guides camp ever; where Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides from all over the UK all go free!* ‘Scoutfest’ will have a dedicated campsite at The Great Wonderfest, based at Duxmore Farm, Isle of Wight, offering a brilliant environment for camping, rambling and other exciting outdoor activities.

Join in the footsteps of other famous Scouts and Guides like adventurers Bear Grylls and Anna McNuff and even TV favourites David Walliams and Warwick Davis were once part of the Scouting family!

‘Scoutfest’ coordinator Malcolm Cox (MaC) says, “Every Scout has 40 million friends throughout the world.

If we add the Girl Guides too we’ve got 50 million friends

globally that includes 3,000 on the Isle of Wight and over 1 million in the UK! “We’re working on a range of amazing activities which we’ll be telling you about soon, so watch this space!

We’ll also be announcing an amazing competition where one lucky Beaver, Cub, Scout, Rainbow Brownie or Guide can win family tickets for themselves and their friends!”

Dick, from festival hosts Dick and Dom, says, “It’ll be great to have the Scouts and Guides family at the Great Wonderfest.

I used to be a Cub and a Scout so I know how important it can be to learn about the great outdoors. Not only can they develop their Scouting skills, but they can also party at The Great Wonderfest festival badges all round!”

This is a family offer and at least one adult ticket must be purchased in order to redeem the Scouts Go Free offer for your child.

Win tickets to see Sue Hodge at the Riverside Centre

Local promoter Paddy Mchugh is giving away two pairs of tickets to see the fabulous star Sue Hodge from the well loved BBC TV series and stage show ‘Allo Allo.’

The lucky winners will get the opportunity to meet the pint-sized blonde hurricane who will happily sign your souvenirs after the show .

The formidable actress was best known for her role as the waitress Mimi Labonq.

The show is a celebration marking 25 years of the much loved T.V sitcom and will be staged on July 13 at the Riverside centre in Newport.

The cast promise to give the audience a

backstage glimpse of life behind the camera.

‘Allo Allo’ was first broadcast on BBC one from 1982 to 1992 it comprised of 85 episodes.

The story is set in a small town cafe in Nouvion, German-occupied France during the second World War and follows the life of Rene a French cafe owner who is caught between the Gestapo and the Resistance, forced into working with both . Rene also struggles to hide evidence of his affairs with the waitresses from his wife.

The doors for the event open at 3pm, with a 3.30pm start. The price of admission is £13.50 including a cream tea .

Challenge & Adventure will be one of the benefactors along with The Vectis Radio 4ps training school.

Tickets for the event are available from Merriebank Lettings , the Isle of Wight Letting Agency and at paddyiwevents@ gmail.com.

For a chance to win a pair of these tickets please answer this simple question: Which year was Allo Allo first broadcast?

Email your answers to newsdesk@ iwobserver.co.uk or send your answer to the Isle of Wight Observer office using the address on page 2.

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THE OBSERVER GUIDE Island Highland Gathering We’re excited to announce that the Island Highland Gathering will be back again on Sunday, July 21, 2019.

Island Highland Gathering presents – The Celtic Show. They will still have the same amount of pipe bands but all will be going on throughout the day in the main arena which also has the main stage.

Tickets are now on Sale at a special offer rate. Raising money for Challenge & Adventure.

Sunday July 21 Brading Roman Villa Morton Old Road Brading PO36 0PH

Agricultural Show The 2019 show takes place on June 30, at the Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society Show Ground. The Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society supports, and raises awareness of, agriculture and the natural environment on the Isle of Wight. We host the Royal Isle of Wight County Show that dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria.

Sunday June 30 9.00am - 5.00pm Royal Agricultural Show Ground Northwood PO30 5TP

Newport Carnival The Mardi Gras is a carnival with a fantastic parade. This year’s event is focused on the Biosphere which is linked to the AONB’s application for the IOW to be a Biosphere Island. The carnival will be created by local schools and community groups on themes that celebrate the environment, history and culture of the Island.

Saturday June 29 2.50pm - 5.30pm Ryde

Preview Evening VIP reception All are welcome to this VIP drinks reception in a marquee at the County Show Ground, previewing work by our talented creative community. Come and get arty with Independent Arts and meet the guys from the Classic Boat Museum who have lent us the setting so that we can GET NAUTI!

Saturday June 29 6 - 8.00pm County Show Ground Northwood £5 entry - Pay at door

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THEATRE AND EVENTS

EVENTS ACROSS THE ISLAND IW Pride 2019 The main IW Pride event will take place in Ryde, Isle of Wight on Saturday July 20, 2019. The Parade will take place in the morning from 11am to 12pm. The main site will be open from late morning.

We are currently exploring with local businesses to see if events can be held by them on Friday afternoon/evening and also the possibility of having a second

event on the Sunday in light of the absence of the Ryde Slide this year.

Saturday July 20 Ryde Isle of Wight

Jungle Fever Our majestic life-sized African animal puppets including Annie the giraffe, Jabi the zebra and Lenny the lion are all making their annual migration back to the park in time for dinner as Feeding Time returns for more interactive family fun! As they feed down at the Woodland Pond watering hole, you’ll be struck by the feeling of being lost deep in a jungle paradise.

Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, July 23 – August 31, 10am – 10pm Robin Hill Downend Newport

Skydive Isle of Wight Age UK Isle of Wight (Age UKIW) are calling for adventurous fundraisers to take on the incredible challenge of a sponsored tandem skydive from over 12,000ft.

The jump, going from Sandown Airport on Tuesday, July 9, will offer each jumper an unrivalled aerial view of the Isle of Wight. Each skydiver will experience

freefall adrenaline at speeds approaching 120 miles per hour, followed by a stunning canopy ride back down to earth.

Tuesday July 9 Sandown Airport Tel: 01983 301343 Email: fundraising@ageukiw.org.uk

Panerai British Classic Week The 2019 regatta is taking place from July 13 - 20, and we are anticipating a wide entry with yachts from around the globe looking to race in the Solent. The racing is once again being organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron with a six race series, which includes a Nab Tower race on Monday 15th July.

July 13 - 20, 2019 Solent, Cowes Mary Scott-Jackson Panerai British Classic Week, c/o MSJ Events Ltd, 18 Bath Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7QN Email: mary@msjevents.co.uk Telephone: 01983 245100 Mobile: 07790 770526

Outdoor Shakespeare at the Garlic Farm As you like it Join one of Shakespeare’s most famous heroines, Rosalind, as she makes her way in a world full of power, jealousy and tyranny.

In fear for her life and in search of true love, she flees her heritage with her cousin Celia and fool Touchstone. Will disguising herself as a country lad lead her to a new life full of hope, laughter, and her banished father?

With songs galore, hand-

to-hand wrestling, idiotic shepherds and the infamous melancholic Jaques, this comedy is ideal for all the family.

The performance will take place on the grassy slope behind the Garlic Farm Restaurant.

Adult £12, Child U16 £7. Sunday July 21, 2019

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100’s of people flock to Havenstreet to support SteamPunk!

Hundreds of SteamPunk fans, dressed in colourful and distinctive Victorian garb, descended on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway at Havenstreet at the weekend, for the railway’s inaugural Steampunk weekend.

For the uninitiated, steampunk is a genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and typically features steam powered machinery rather than advanced, up-todate technology. Steampunk is a style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features.

Visitors to the eccentric event were able to witness a wide variety of whacky attractions, from Victorian time travel and analogue mechanical computers to the post-apocalyptic.

New president for Ryde Lions Club Ryde Lions Club recenty held their Changeover Evening at Yelfs Hotel, Ryde, where the new President, Barrie Jehan, took over from outgoing President Pauline McCreanor. At the evening, John and Barbara Smith were awarded the club's Message in a Bottle for their outstanding service to the community.

Extraordinary times and people

On Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 July be transported back to experience 1940s train travel and relive the hustle and bustle of a country railway station where wartime activities collide with everyday rural life.

Dress up in your best 1940s attire and head to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway where a whole day of fun awaits.

Try the hairstyles of the day and see the 1940s themed fashion show organised by the House of Foxy.

When your tummy starts to rumble tuck into 1940s themed food in the refreshment rooms and ‘T’ Junction kiosk, washed down with a pint or two of real ale from the Spitfire Bar. Dance the jitterbug whilst enjoying a whole host of live

music and entertainment from the likes of Now That’s Jive dance group, Thomas Benjamin T Wild, Old Time Rags, the stunning female group Company B who will be performing spankingly good songs from the swing era.

Get up close and personal to a stunning array of civilian and military vehicles, marvel at the farmyard threshing machinery and sit in the cockpit of a magnificent Mark IX Spitfire. Visit the wartime holiday home and wander through the 1940s street-scenes and displays, finally don’t forget to visit the Train Story Discovery Centre, all before taking a relaxing steam train ride through the stunning summer countryside.

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2019 Armed Forces Day on the Quay

Newport Quay hosted Armed Forces Day 2019 on Saturday so that Island residents could show their patriotic support for our service personnel, past and present, throughout the country and give their thanks for keeping us safe.

The day began with a parade, which proudly marched through the County Town of the Isle of Wight, from Drill Hall Road through the High Street to the Quay, in beautiful midsummer sunshine. The colourful and dignified march featured service personnel, veterans of a number of conflicts, standard bearers carrying a variety of flags and cadets proudly representing the future of our armed forces. The parade was led by Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band, Collingwood, who were followed by a number of local bands. On arrival at the Quay, the salute was taken

by the Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Mrs. Susie Sheldon. Cllr.

George Cameron, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council conducted the opening ceremony, which was followed by a blessing by the County Legion Chaplain, Amanda Collinson.

There then followed a speech on the subject of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kohima by former army Major, Cllr. Ian Ward.

The all day programme of events at Armed Forces Day included displays by the smartly turned out and musically accomplished HM Royal Marine Band, Collingwood, the Isle of Wight Pipes and Drums in full Highland garb, and a number of well known local bands, including the Medina Marching Band, the Vectis Corps of Drums Marching Band and the Wight Diamonds Marching Band. There were also some superb

demonstrations of fitness and drill by the Military Preparation College, Isle of Wight. Several sea craft of interest were moored at the Quay, and a number of military vehicles old and new were on display at the quayside. Further entertainment provided at the event included performances of live music with the 40s-style Bunker Girls and magician Andy Vance.

Cllr Ian Ward. Armed Forces Champion, said of the event: “Armed Forces Day is for the national recognition of the contribution our current serving personnel and veterans make and have made to our nation. The Island event is a civic occasion sponsored by the IW Council and numerous Town and Parish Councils, but superbly organised and run on their behalf by the Royal British Legion.”

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Phoenix Choir to perform at St James’, Yarmouth The Phoenix Choir will be performing a wide-ranging selection of easy listening songs at St James’ Church, Yarmouth, including music from film, musicals and other well-known favourites. This will be the choir’s second visit to the church to help raise money for the clock tower, which is in urgent need of repair.

The concert will be held in the church on Saturday, July 6, at 7.30pm. Admission is free, but there will be a collection taken to assist the financing of the repairs.

Hoards: a hidden history of ancient Britain Discover buried treasure in an exhibition that focuses on hoarding in ancient Britain. Find out why people hid precious objects in the ground and never retrieved them. The exhibition brings together spectacular finds from the British Museum and Salisbury Museum. Also a display of coins found locally in Island hoards.

Flag raising ceremony for ‘Armed Forces Day’ marks respect for past veterans

Free bus travel for military personnel on Armed Forces Day

Newport hosted a flag raising ceremony for ‘Armed Forces Day’ on Monday June 24 to mark the start of Armed Forces Week .

The flag raising is an annual event to show respect for the men and women who make up the armed forces community.

The ceremony was initiated nineteen years ago coinciding with the introduction of the Armed Forces Covenant, when the Government realised that veterans were not being properly recognised for their service and sacrifice.

Cllr. Ian Ward, the Isle of Wight Council’s Veterans’ Champion said “This ceremony is a mark of respect for people fighting for us today and our newly recruited soldiers and cadets.

The Covenant ensures that our veterans receive equal access to other citizens in a number of services provided by the Council including housing, education and starting a new career.”

Newport marked the event in style.

A parade of veterans and armed forces gathered in St Thomas Square with the salute being taken by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant. The new Archdeacon of the Island, Peter Leonard, officiated.

Chairman of the Council George Cameron said “This event brings the youth in as well as the veterans, especially the cadets and we also have members of the Youth Council here today.”

Southern Vectis is offering free travel for current and veteran military personnel on Saturday, June 29, to mark Armed Forces Day. Southern Vectis managing director, Andrew Wickham, said: “People here are rightfully proud of our country’s military, as is our team on the Isle of Wight. As part of this community, we are keen to show our support for servicemen and women.

“The work our troops have done in the past, and still do

Brading Roman Villa - June 29 – September 28

now, in unimaginably hostile war zones is incredibly humbling. And we want to recognise their efforts even in this small way to help them travel to events or to see family and friends on Armed Forces Day. “On Saturday, June 29, we welcome all those wearing their military uniform, displaying medals, or showing their military ID card on board our buses, and they may travel for free with us all day.”

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Bloodstone on the Isle Of Wight The Bloodstone Border Morris dance team held their 7th Bloodstone Rally last weekend to celebrate the Summer Solstice, and this year it was even bigger and better as it was the team’s 10th Birthday.

The weekend was held as a fun event, but also to raise money for Challenge and Adventure.

Based at Smallbrook Stadium There was camping, musical entertainment and even a specially constructed timber Henge with timber sourced from Bloodstone Copse, the area from which the team take their name.

Mainland teams attending this year came from far and wide, including Mythago from Sussex, Borderline from Exmoor, Tatters

and Tails from Bath, Wolfshead and Vixen and Screeming Banshees Gothic Morris from Kent, Hook Eagle from Hampshire and Aelfgythe from Worcestershire. Guith Morris and Moonshine Border Morris from the Island also took part in Saturday’s celebration.

The first event on Saturday was a trip to Wootton Steam Railway Station, courtesy of Southern Vectis, who provided two buses for the teams for a ride on the Steam Train and dancing at Havenstreet Station.

The dance team spent the whole day at Havenstreet as part of the Steampunk event that the Steam Railway was holding.

The Steampunk day included

Bloodstone 10 Ale, brewed by Island Ales! Back at Smallbrook Stadium. Each team took a turn to dance on the Bloodstone stage in front of the Henge, which wa a fitting way to celebrate the Solstice, after which music was provided by the Chain Ferry Gang.

The following morning, each team again danced to celebrate the Summer Solstice at the Henge before moving to Ryde Esplanade, where there was dancing at the Pavillion, the Harbour and the Simeon Arms.

The final massed dance, with around 120 dancers, was done around the circular garden next to the Pavillion and Bowling green.

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28th June 2019

Gold hoard for Island Irish Dancers

Isabelle Murray

Mckenzie Davis

A troupe of local dancers scooped a total of 33 dance awards at the Solent Feis, a national Irish dancing contest, held in Portchester at the weekend.

The national competition, hosted by An Coimisiun, the World Governing Body, attracted up to a thousand young dance hopefuls.

Rising dance star, Mckenzie Davis, 15, of Ashey, who has racked up a great number of awards this year, took home a further eight awards, finishing in first place. Newcomer Elsie Butler, 5, of Ryde, scooped seven awards, including a second Lace Cup trophy, and finished in third place in the Under 6 Premier

Madeleine Cottell

Elsie Butler

Championship. Annabelle Acutt, 10, of Brading, took six awards, including a second place cup trophy. Ryde sister duo, Pheobe and Lydia Greenhalgh, aged 11 and 10, stepped out for the first time and floored the competition with seven medal awards between them, whilst tiny tots Isabelle Murray, 4, and Madeleine Cottell, 3, both of Ryde, brought home two trophy awards from the Under 5 championship. Mia-Rose Dyer, 10, took three medal awards after just a few weeks of intensive training.

Brading dance teacher Roisin said: “These girls are an absolute inspiration.

Their dance training started right here

Roisin Mullins & Elsie Butler

on the Island, and has grown into national success. Many of these girls have only been training for a matter of months, all of them under one year, and they have already made their mark. This has been achieved through sheer hard work and dedication.

“I am absolutely delighted with the fast progress that our Island dancers are demonstrating. We are celebrating success as a team, and are looking forward to showing off all of our dancers’ talents at community events on the Island this summer.”

Lydia Greenhalgh, Annabelle Acutt, Mia Rose Dyer

Appeal following theft of 130,000 litres of water lost after burst water pipe power tools from Ryde Officers are appealing for witnesses and information after burglars broke into a property that was being renovated.

The incident occurred between 6pm on Friday, June 21 and 8am on Saturday, June 22, in Bellevue Road, Ryde.

The suspects forced the front door to gain access to the property and have stolen power tools, mostly DeWalt and Festool makes.

Have you been offered power tools for sale in suspicious circumstances?

If you have any information, or if you saw anything suspicious in this location around the time of the offence, please get in touch with police by calling 101 and quoting 44190214991.

Firefighters were called to Newport on Thursday morning following a burst water main. The water pipe burst outside PE Composites, at Dodnor Industrial Estate, and more than 130,000 litres of water is estimated to have been lost.

A spokesperson for Southern Water said: “We’d like to apologise to residents in Newport East, Isle of Wight, who have been experiencing low pressure or no water.

“A major water main has burst on Dodnor Lane.

“Fixing the pipe may take some time, but we are sending tankers of water to inject into the system below the burst to speed the restoration of supplies.”

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Red Funnel launches 2019 Stargazing Guide

Black-headed gull breed on a nesting raft built and launched by volunteers A solitary pair of black-headed gulls have bred on a nesting raft built and launched by volunteers at Hersey Nature Reserve, Seaview.

The black-headed gull is a familiar enough sight across most of Britain and Ireland, particularly during the winter months when our resident breeding population is joined by large numbers arriving from breeding areas elsewhere in Europe. Jim Baldwin, British Trust for Ornithology representative for the Isle of Wight, said: “This is excellent news.

Hersey Nature Reserve has become only the second Isle of Wight, and East Wight, site to report breeding black-headed gulls

away from Newtown since the late 1930s when there was a small breeding colony at Yarmouth. Brading Marshes RSPB reserve reported a pair nesting in 2016.”

Jo King, Friends of Hersey Nature Reserve, said: “This is a great outcome for all the volunteer effort to build and launch the raft. Although two chicks hatched, one was immediately predated. We are keeping our fingers crossed our chick will survive the next few weeks to fledge and fly.”

This is yet another new record for the Reserve for 2019. In May, visitors shared photos of Ring Ouzel and Nightjar.

St Helens flower festival St Helen’s Church celebrated its tricentenary on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23, with a flower festival celebrating various aspects of Christian life.

The numerous and colourful floral displays, which filled the place of worship with beautiful sights and scents, were overseen by Margaret Hope. A number of St Helens Primary School poems, written to commemorate Remembrance Sunday, were on display in the church. St Helens pre-school children also had examples of their work shown at the church.

The church was consecrated by Bishop Trelawney, Bishop of Winchester, on

June 27, 1719. A new church was urgently required as the former parish church, located at the Duver, had already begun to be swept out to sea. The church, which is located on Eddington Road, some distance away from the village of St Helens, was built at a site located in the very centre of the parish, which, in those days, extended all the way to Ryde.

In the evening of Saturday, June 22, Scottish fiddlers performed traditional Scottish airs in the church as part of the celebrations. Sunday saw Bishop Christopher attend the morning service, where he cut a church-shaped birthday cake to mark the tricentenary.

Red Funnel are encouraging stargazing enthusiasts to enjoy this year’s meteor showers while they’re at their most beautiful from one of the Island’s dazzling Dark Sky sites. Red Funnel’s 2019 Stargazing Guide aims to help those who have never tried stargazing before and are wondering where to start. The guide contains a useful infographic, packed with insider tips on where and when to visit to enjoy the skies at their very best. It also includes preparation tips, a recommended kit list, the best locations for stargazing and information and dates for upcoming 2019 meteor showers.

Fran Collins, Red Funnel CEO, said: “Stargazing is a perfect opportunity to bring science to life, and the abundance of Dark Sky sites on the Isle of Wight makes it almost unrivalled in the UK for views of the night sky. We created the guide to give visitors to the Island the information to really make the most of this powerful experience. It’s a great opportunity to do something a bit different, get wrapped up warm and learn something new.”

The 2019 Stargazing Guide can be found at: https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/en/isle-ofwight-guide/stargazing/ .

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Isle of Wight to become world’s smartest and most connected island An aspiration to turn the Isle of Wight into the world’s smartest and most connected island has taken a step closer to reality. IW Councillors have approved the Isle of Wight Council’s Digital Island Strategy, which aims to help Islanders and businesses embrace digital living and support economic growth by developing digital skills.

Digital Island is an important part of the council’s wider £200 million regeneration programme, designed to tackle structural, economic and financial challenges on the Island. The strategy highlights how technology is helping local industry overcome the barrier of water, allowing them to operate in a global, cyber economy and increase productivity from right here on the Island.

Many Islanders can access advanced broadband speeds thanks to the roll-out of the Gigabit Island programme. The focus now will shift to so-called ‘not-spot’ areas to ensure all communities are connected.

The goal is to bring full fibre broadband to 50,000 houses by 2021, just over 70 per cent of Island homes, with the ambition to achieve 100 per cent access soon after. The document, approved by the Cabinet, details how new systems will improve the council’s own services by increasing the number of transactions that can be completed online. Meanwhile, digital technology is

already supporting more older people to live independently and at home for longer, helping to avoid significant costs of having to be placed in residential or nursing care.

Councillor Wayne Whittle, Cabinet member for regeneration and business development, said: “Digital technology presents major benefits for Island communities, allowing them to be connected in a way that has not previously been possible. Our digital strategy will deliver growth within the economy, support improved digital and transport connectivity, education and skills and contribute to better health and social care services.”

To read the strategy in full, visit https:// iwightinvest.com/the-isle-of-wightdigital-island-strategy-2019/

MacNaughton-Howe arts and craft festival 2019 The 2019 MacNaughton-Howe Arts and Crafts Festival, held at St Catherine’s Church in Ventnor, attracted a high standard of entries from all over the Island.

Joyce Royal from Ryde won both the Needlecraft Cup and the Craft cup. The Art Cup winner was Ann Willis from Adgestone.

The Photography cup winner was Bruce Williamson from Ventnor, and Marion Best of Ventnor won the Computer Cup. The winner of this year’s Chairman’s Choice was Peter Pye, who made a fully working, illuminated meccano crane. Lake Craft and Chatter provided the best display table.

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LOCAL BUSINESS EDITORIAL

New Island company to specialise in fire doors Fire and security experts, Wight Fire and Security, have expanded their services by opening a new company, Wight Fire Doors Ltd. The company aims to provide a range of fire door services, including the replacing or fitting of new doors, improving the standard of fire doors already in situ or carrying out site inspections detailing the condition of the fire doors in place.

Director, Steve Winter, said: “Existing customers were continually asking who we’d suggest to carry out fire door works, and there was no specialist company to recommend.

On that basis, we thought we ought to fill the gap in the market by opening the Island’s only dedicated fire door company.”

Steve has joined forces with Wight Fire & Security Director, Jay Lock, and former maritime fire safety trainer, Jon Bilton, to form the new company. Jon has been thrilled by the response so far.

Jon said: “I can’t believe that we are this busy already. We only started in April, and I have already fitted fire doors for a large number of clients.”

“Fire doors are a vital part of a building’s fire safety strategy. Everyone thinks of fire alarms and extinguishers in terms of fire safety, but it is the fire doors that keep the escape routes free of fire and smoke and can really help protect life in the event of a fire.”

The creation of Wight Fire Doors has resulted in Wight Fire being able to provide a comprehensive fire safety service, including fire alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and fire safety signage. The company are also able to carry out fire risk assessments

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BBQ to be held at Dinosaur Isle Museum Sandown

Friends of Dinosaur Isle Museum will be holding a barbeque social evening outside the museum at Culver Parade, Sandown, on Saturday, July 27, at 5pm. The friends of the museum will be providing plates, salads and doughnuts, and guests should bring their own meat, veg and drinks. Anyone wishing to

attend should email jlockwood156@aol.com or ring the museum on 404344. Entrance to the event is free.

Cowes Lifeboat Responds to Late Night River Emergency A woman with breathing difficulties aboard a motor-launch up the River Medina led to the launching of Cowes RNLI lifeboat late Wednesday, June 26.

The 35-foot motor-launch was moored to an offshore pontoon near the Folly. Coastguards were alerted to the emergency through a 999 call, which appeared to suggest that the woman had lost consciousness. She was one of three people aboard at the time, one of them a child.

When the lifeboat arrived at the scene they found that paramedics were already on board the motor-launch, having been conveyed from their ambulance at the Folly by the vessel’s own RIB. Eventually the woman, by then fully conscious, was conveyed ashore by the lifeboat and taken by ambulance to St Mary’s Hospital.

The lifeboat, which launched at 11.45 pm returned to station at 12.55 am on June 22.

Ferry route blocked as vehicle crashes and offer a variety of fire safety training courses.

Access to the Red Funnel terminal in East Cowes was blocked at around lunchtime on Monday, when a Land Rover crashed into a number of parked cars at the bottom of York Avenue, before coming to rest on its side, leaving the driver trapped inside.

Witnesses claim the four wheel drive vehicle was being driven up the main road

in the wrong direction before the accident happened shortly before 1pm. Firefighters were forced to free the occupant of the car by removing the windscreen, before rolling the vehicle back onto its wheels. The man concerned was taken to St Mary’s Hospital in Newport, but was not thought to have been seriously injured.

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Island Soapbox

The David Holmes Column

Err, um Boris has even BETTER ideas

28th June 2019

Send your letters into us newsdesk@iwobserver.co.uk or post them to us IW Observer, Suite 6, 17 St.Thomas Square, Newport, IW, PO30 1SL Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in these letters are not those held by the IW Observer or its staff.

They belong to the author and the author alone - Letters must be no longer than 250 words please.

Vote for change in Bembridge To the editor, For the by-election in Bembridge, Mark Watkins presented a programme for repairing damage done by past council decisions and promising to work for more transparent decision-making. His slogan was Vote for Change, where he was addressing the future needs of the parish and so he cannot be described honestly as concentrating on the past.

If Jay Chapman, who is to be congratulated on his election success, imagines that the incurring of huge debts and the ending of

revenue streams can be treated as past and no longer have to be dealt with, the problems in Bembridge will continue to exist and grow even worse; the past cannot often be swept under the carpet without adverse consequences.Mr Watkins was addressing the present, whereas it might seem that Jay Chapman is looking to a chimerical future from a fantasy present. I hope he will prove me wrong and recognise not only that the problems are very great but also produce the ideas needed to repair the damage.

Alexander Hopkinson-Woolley - Bembridge

From wall lizards and fossils to Carisbrooke Castle

I was listening to LBC radio on Monday evening. The host, Iain Dale had invited two MP’s on as guests, each to argue in favour of ‘his’ chosen PM candidate. Astonishingly, the man chosen to argue in favour of Boris Johnson – was our own MP, Bob ‘chutzpah’ Seely.

Last week, before we knew which two MP’s would go through to the Tory members vote, Bob abruptly changed horses. We can only speculate as to what exactly prompted his damascene conversion, but it was quite a flip-flop. Seely hadn’t just backed Michael Gove, he was one of the two MPs who nominated him!

When Bob declared his full support, he wrote: “this leadership election is the most important in a generation, that’s why I’m backing Michael Gove.” He seemed completely convinced, even going on to explain why.

“He’s an ideas man, a leader in parliament and a great orator, the best of his generation.”

He also said “he’s the best person to deliver Brexit, maybe the only one who can.”

Adding “I want Corbyn to be terrified of him every week at Question time.” He also said “he will renew the party” and that he believed ‘’Michael has the winning combination of attributes and capabilities.’’

Now if you were Michael Gove, all of this would have pleased you enormously, you may even have offered Bob a jolly important job, once you were safely inside Number 10 of course.

Just days later, with Gove still looking for some vital extra votes, presumably sure of the support from those who’d pledged for him, one of his original two cheerleaders, (that’s Bob) informed Michael that he’d

err, had a re-think. I wonder did Bob phone, tweet or text his new thoughts? And did it go something like this, ‘’Err, hello Michael, it’s Bob, Bob Seely, Isle of Wight. Um, ahh, I thought it only fair to let you know, Err, um, I was mistaken, you are in fact NOT now the only man who can deliver Brexit, nor are you the man to renew the party. You may be an ideas man, but I’ve come to believe that Err, um, Boris has even better ideas. As for your love of the Union, um, and those Err, marvellous oratorial skills of yours, the ones I said would terrify Corbyn every week at PMQs, well actually, um I think Jeremy C will in fact fear Boris a little more than you.”

One MP, who had supported Rory Stewart, said he’d been ‘let down’ by “thieving, mendacious, lying colleagues who switched.” Ouch!

This was swiftly denied, but that and the accusation that several MP’s had been using the ‘dark arts’ to fix the final two, has left a nasty odour hanging over the process. And what a process! Just 315 fiercely ambitious MPs choosing our next Prime Minister.

So, was it all a fix, did some MPs vote to knock-out Gove?

Put on the spot by a helpful text to LBC, pointing out his swerve, Bob said he hadn’t liked the way Gove was running his campaign!

Being a secret ballot, some MPs were encouraged to photograph their Ballot papers, just to prove that they really had voted for the candidate they’d promised to vote for. Others had proxy votes, with a few MPs rumoured to have up to 10 proxies in their pocket. The MP lending the vote never knew for whom their vote was actually cast.

Tories, dont’cha love ’em?

“Surprise, surprise Bob abruptly changed horses”

Dear Editor, Carnival season seems to be starting again in Ryde. The first one appears to be an event promising a Mardi Gras to promote the ‘Biosphere Island’.

According to a dictionary a biosphere is defined as ‘the area of the planet where organisms live, including the ground and the air’. I pretty much think most (not necessarily ALL) organisms living on ground on the Isle of Wight would qualify and we do have creatures within the air. The definition adds that ‘a biosphere is the part of the Earth and its atmosphere which is capable of supporting life’. This seems a stretch for Ryde after my experience two weeks ago whereby a homeless man had nowhere to go to attain shelter or sustenance.

Therefore the title ‘Biosphere Island Mardi Gras’ is, in itself, proving that the reason behind it is because the Isle of Wight has inserted a bid to be an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ with UNESCO so has decided to cause yet another nightmare Carnival in Ryde. I agree that there are areas on the Island which are delightful and wonderful but sadly not in the towns where the Council have authorised these areas to be transformed

into concrete jungles. Therefore, when people dressed in elaborate costumes parade through the streets on a Saturday afternoon the result is that the town is left looking like a war zone.

The funniest statement in the Observer Issue 44 reads as follows: ‘the vibrant parade will be representing the many elements that make our Island unique, from wall lizards and fossils to Carisbrooke Castle and Bouldnor Forest’. Strangely, the newspaper does not mention that Ryde is about 9 miles from Carisbrooke Castle and 16 miles from Bouldnor Forest. The likelihood of seeing a wall lizard on a Saturday afternoon in central Ryde are incredibly less likely than seeing three dozen people carrying beer bottles and being obnoxious throughout the parade.

There will, however, probably be a few fossils assisting in toting beer cans and adding to the detritus left upon the streets.

Should UNESCO do their report on Sunday morning as to whether the Island is indeed an Area of Outstanding Beauty (using Ryde as a basis for their decision) they will be jolly disappointed and hopefully wearing protective clothing.

Resident of Ryde (name politely withheld)

Is Boris bonkers?

Dear Editor,

One of the biggest challenges facing humans today is the lack of humour and the choice to feel ‘offended’ at every opportunity.

Boris Johnson has recently caused controversy using the terms – ‘Letter Boxes and Bank Robbers’ when making observations about Muslim women wearing fully masked clothing [this clothing is called a Burka] So, what really is behind the controversy?

Humans have been programmed over many centuries to learn the skills required to survive and thrive, to do this we need to determine if we can trust others, tolerate them or terminate them! To do this effectively we need to assess quickly whether they are positive or negative towards us. We do this by scanning the other person’s body language to see if they will move or gesture the same way we do in what is known as ‘mirroring’.

We mirror each other’s body language as a way of bonding, being accepted, and creating rapport.

Key body language signals include a smile and laughter, these signals show a person is

happy. If their face is entirely covered, then it is impossible to make a valued judgement as to the ‘humanity’ within the individual and therefore at basic instinctive level you cannot make a positive analysis of the person facing you.

This leads to mistrust and segregation.

It is therefore in no one’s interest or benefit to hide their humanity from others. The key in all this is to be able to communicate at the sub-conscious level so you can be trusted, liked, respected and supported.

By completely covering your face and body you are sending out a sub-conscious message which states [true or false] that you cannot be trusted and will therefore only be tolerated or deleted from any meaningful human experiences.

To suggest that Boris is having a go at Muslims is complete balderdash, it has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with ‘trust’. As we all now know, you can trust Boris, but not apparently in his private residence with a glass of red wine late at night!

Paul St John Martin, Newport

28th June 2019

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Island Soapbox

National Trust activities in Newtown unsustainable

To the editor, Lack of human impact is the key qualifier for UNESCO’s decision to award the Island biosphere reserve status The National Trust has no real idea how many visitors it attracts in total. To justify the enhancement of facilities at Newtown, it suggested that as many as 40,000 were currently coming into the reserve by road with another 40,000 arriving in the estuary by boat. If these were true figures, and in the first instance they seem to be wildly

exaggerated, then they should ring alarm bells, not signal a drive to attract still more.

We do know that numbers of boats have increased fivefold since the 1970s and more recently we have also seen canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. All these cause problems for breeding waterfowl. Woodlands have been opened up to long-distance walkers with paths widened to wipe out colonies of squirrels, lizards and owls, and now the Trust is busy promoting a cycle route from the ferry terminal at East Cowes into the heart of the reserve.

These activities are not sustainable under the terms of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve award, and while we applaud the IW Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership’s efforts in securing it over the past three years, the National Trust’s increasingly commercial stance at Newtown is a stain on that achievement.

James Allaway - Keep Newtown for the birds

Boris Johnson is no Messiah Dear Editor, With reference to the letter jovially stating the obvious, that Boris Johnson is no Messiah, I wish that was our only problem. The mess the Tories have made over three years, allowing Remainers to thwart our democratic vote, puts them in a very bad position. Now anything less than a No Deal Brexit will be their final betrayal. Then, their Titanic will hit the iceberg of the majority electorate, with an equally catastrophic result.

The one big risk in voting the Tories out, of course, and which they have relied upon so heavily, is the justified fear of a government led by Jeremy Corbyn. Under him, Labour has become a party riddled with Marxists, cleverdick Remoaners and more than a few antiSemites. A party that is as unfit for office as those they wish to replace.

That leaves us with two other parties who

command sizeable support, the Lib-Dems and the Brexit Party. The former have outright rejected what the electorate has now effectively voted for three times, and the latter currently have one policy.

One can only hope that when the next GE comes around Mr Farage and Co have enough credible candidates and a manifesto that appeals to voters. Enough to make them into the party that holds the balance of power, at the very least. If not, then with the Tories smashed and useless, and Labour badly wounded, we may see the double horror of a Lib-Lab pact. Something that could deteriorate into a ghastly combination of Fascism Lite and Cultural Marxism. Whether such a government could be removed via the ballot box is a question I would prefer not to be asked.

Nathan Brazil

IW NHS Trusts to partner with the Open University to recruit Dear Editor The IW NHS Trusts initiative to partner with the Open University and introduce a student nurse training programme comes against a backdrop of a reported 120 full-time equivalent nurse vacancies, with many posts currently being filled by expensive agency staff.

These student nurses will not be full trained for several years and will presumably require professional support and close mentoring over their training period. Has St Mary’s recruited suitably qualified additional staff for this role, or will this task be seen as an additional burden placed upon the existing

stretched workforce? Hopefully this isn’t simply a scheme to inject a source of cheap labour into our hospital to help reduce its deficit. It is also essential these new trainees will not be pressurised to work beyond their capabilities and competencies due to the shortfall in St Mary’s existing nursing provision.

This student nurse training programme could well be a game changer, providing a long term solution for the problems our island hospital faces, but it needs to be adequately funded, resourced and professionally supported with clinically trained staff.

Hans Bromwich, Cowes

What a load of Bull!

Dear Editor, I am pleased that Ms Caroline Ross won her appeal to POPLA over the unfair parking charge levied by the operator, when she overstayed the maximum period allowed at the Red Funnel terminal by 6 minutes (IW Observer, June 21) but do wonder why she needed a 4x4 vehicle fitted with ‘Bull Bars’ to pick up her passengers.

Legislation came into effect in 2007

banning the fitting of rigid bars because of the decreased chances of a pedestrian surviving impact with a vehicle fitted with these bars and, although it was not retrospective and the vehicle Ms Ross was driving is clearly an old one, anyone with any consideration for other road users should have had them removed or replaced with a so-called ‘approved frontal protection system’.

Mike Stone. Ryde

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The Isle of Wight Distillery celebrates Summer Solstice with Mermaid Pink Gin Three months after the relaunch of Mermaid Gin, the Isle of Wight Distillery has introduced Mermaid Pink Gin. The gin is presented in the same sculpted bottle as Mermaid Gin, albeit decorated in shades of pink. The bottle is 100% plastic-free, with a wood topped cork and a tamper proof seal.

Mermaid Pink Gin is distilled using strawberries from the island’s Arreton Valley, a rich and fertile valley that receives some of the best sunshine levels in the UK, which explains the gentle pink hue of the gin itself.

To create it, the strawberries are steeped in the distillery’s gin for four days. Then, half is removed to be distilled and eventually added back to the remaining infusion, lending the gin an aromatic, strawberry flavour. With no added sugar, the gin is substantially less sweet than many on the market.

Xavier Baker, co-founder at the Isle of Wight Distillery, said: “The trade and consumer response to Mermaid’s new bottle

has been amazing and has obviously kept us all very busy! However, we’ve significantly invested in the distillery’s future and Pink represents the next big step for us. The pink gin category’s still got masses of potential, both here and abroad, so we’re confident our unique Island take on it will be a big hit.”

Support your local businesses.

Shop local if you can Local residents invited to have valuable items marked at County Show The Police and Crime Commissioner and Country Watch are inviting local residents to bring small items to the Royal Isle of Wight County Show for free marking to help prevent crime.

As a result of support and funding from the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Michael Lane, local residents will be able to secure their valuable items by having them marked by a new Dot Peen Property Marking Machine at the forthcoming Isle of Wight County Show on Sunday, June 30. The Hampshire Constabulary Country Watch stand is located in the Wight Fibre Activity Zone. Residents should take along small items, such as garden tools, power tools, mobile phones and tablets and equestrian tack. For larger items, such as plant machinery, tractors and trailers and golf clubs, residents should visit the stand to book a visit from a member of the County Watch team, who can offer property marking at rural locations, including farms and equine centres that could be targeted by thieves.

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Railbike cycles length of Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Watch House shelter is given super makeover The Watch House shelter, Cowes, which was derelict and under threat of demolition, has been perfectly restored and reopened to the public.

The restoration was jointly funded by the Isle of Wight Council and Cowes Town Council, working in partnership with local firm Trevor Jones Contracting, who offered to repair and refurbish the site at cost price.

Now the much-loved landmark is in pristine condition, and has been given the ‘thumbs up’ by the town’s residents.

Isle of Wight Councillor, and Mayor of Cowes, Lora Peacey Wilcox, who represents Cowes Medina ward, wrote on social media: “Well done to everyone who helped keep the shelter in public ownership. So very

grateful to Gowan and Trevor Jones and other generous contractors.”

Other comments included: “Fantastic great result. Thank you Trevor Jones and Gowan Ruler,” and “Well done the team. Partnership does work!”

The Town Council say they are delighted that the historic structure has been restored for the benefit of the residents and visitors to Cowes.

A four-seat railbike, owned by Bruce Dunton, has travelled the length of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

Railbiking is very popular across Europe and is promoted as a commercial activity on a number of heritage and disused railway lines. Bruce, who with others has successfully cycled this machine on a number of heritage railway lines both in the UK and on the continent, had long held the ambition of pedalling the 10-mile round trip on the Island.

The Steam Railway’s General Manager, Peter Vail, said: “Whilst it was a bit of fun, we were keen to see how this worked. On arrival it was evident that the contraption was cleverly constructed from scaffolding poles and bits of old mountain bikes. The four-seat machine, with two pedalling, was a rather

odd sight.”

With the railbike team was Stuart Calvert, who was recently appointed Network Rail’s Head of Digital Rail. The vacant fourth seat was offered to the Steam Railway’s Commercial Manager, Richard Hale.

Richard said: “This was an opportunity not to be missed and having initially occupied one of the passenger seats I was soon persuaded to take to the pedals. There is no denying it was hard work, especially on the inclines which most of our passengers would never notice. The downhill sections were a little more spirited though. The whole experience was great fun and a unique view of our line.”

When asked whether the Isle of Wight Steam Railway would ever consider acquiring a fleet of railbikes for general commercial use, Richard said: “Never say never!”

Pictured: Above: The restored Watch House Shelter Below: Gowan Ruler (Trevor Jones Contracting), Mayor of Cowes, Cllr Lora Peacey Wilcox, and Mark Pitfield (Trevor Jones Contracting).

Island Education Union secretary slams excessive teaching workload

If you have a news story which you would like published then please email our newsdesk at newsdesk@iwobserver.co.uk

The joint local secretary of the National Education Union, Peter Shreeve, has condemned excessive workloads for teachers following the latest OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (Talis), a barometer of what teachers from up to 48 different countries think about their jobs.

Mr. Shreeve said: “Yet more demoralising findings confirming that the Government is failing our teachers and school leaders who are working longer hours, for less pay and have less job satisfaction than their OECD counterparts, despite Government efforts aimed at reducing it.

“Talis findings confirm that steps taken by the Government in recent years have failed to tackle the underlying workload burdens on England’s teachers and school leaders. The issues highlighted by Talis, staff shortages, increased non-teaching tasks and staff feeling less prepared are intertwined.

“We know official figures show far too many newly qualified teachers (NQTs) fail to remain teaching in the short and mediumterm. In a recent NEU survey of more than 8,000 staff, more than a quarter of those with less than five years’ experience said they planned to quit by 2024.”

When asked why they would be leaving, workload and the accountability regime were the main reasons cited.

“The Island is not immune from this.

We are also aware that poor pay is another driver of dissatisfaction and a problem for recruitment and retention. Local vacancies are often advertised at less than the full range of pay scales. Although Talis only references teaching staff, this is also an issue for support staff, who are often in the frontline of restructures and cuts. Far too often, they not only have their pay cut, but also their working hours.”

28th June 2019

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28th June 2019

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Sport

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Observer

By Peter White

Osborne Golf Club results June 19, Stableford: Division 1:1 Darren Masterton 40, 2 Brian Wright 37, 3 Derek Wright 37; Division2:1 Tim Eldridge 38ocb, 2 Nick Hunter 38, 3 Mike Spall 36; Division 3: 1 Nicholas Jackson 37ocb, 2 Richard Highmore 37, 3 Paul Entwistle 34.

June 22, Stableford: Division 1: 1 Leigh Pragnell 38ocb, 2 Grant Hesse 38, 3 Andrew Hallam 37; Division 2: 1 David Geddes 38ocb, 2 Mike Spall 38ocb, 3 Nick Hunter38, Division 3: 1 Daniel McMeechan 44, 2 Benjamin Dyer 42, 3 John Molyneux 39.

June 23, Treasurer`s Cup, : Division 1: 1 Stuart Bancroft 37, Darren Masterton 36.25, 3 Matthew Williams36;

Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club results June 18, Ladies Stableford: 1 Connie Huntington 35, 2 Christine O’Brien 34, 3 Anna Garriock 31, 4 Debbie Berry 30.

June 19, Seniors Monthly Stableford: 1 Noel Dobbs 39, 2 Paul Longman 36, 3 Bob Wynn 36.

June 19, Open Stableford: 1 Maurice Flux 40, 2 Steve Collins 39, 3 Roger Scott 38, 4 Keith Wickham 38.

June 22, Monthly Medal & Jellicoe Cup Qualifier: Scratch: 1 Daniel Mew 70, 2 George Foreman 74; Division 1: 1 Daniel Mew 67, 2 Ollie Buckett 67, 3 John Richards 68, 4 Gary Meszynski 68; Division 2: 1 Alan Parker 68, 2 Nigel Bishop 68.

Newport Golf Club results June 18, 9 Hole Stableford(q), 1 Theo Mitchell (29) 21pts.

June 20, Thursday Stableford: 1 George Ringer (8) 38pts.

June 22, Coronation Cup Medal: 1 Keith Gamble (19) 63nett, 2 George Ringer (8) 64, 3 Chris Hayward (0) 65, 4 Mark King (9) 65, 5 Steve Gilbert (13) 66.

June 23, Sunday Stableford: 1 Oliver Wilson (4) 39pts, 2 Paul Arnold (15) 37, 3 George Ringer (7) 37.

Ryde Rowing Club test out Julie at Newport Regatta Three crews from Ryde Rowing Club tested out their new Coastal Four boat, Julie, at Newport Regatta on Saturday, June 22.

The Men’s Senior Four, Ollie Bottrell, Tom Hammond, Nick Christopher and Matt Allsopp, with Dan Sanderson coxing, were unfortunate enough to draw the eventual winners from BTC Southampton Rowing Club in their heat and this, coupled with teething

problems with the new boat, was too much to overcome, and they were defeated in their heat.

The Men’s Coastal Junior Four of Tom Starkey, Austin Smith, Ben Sanderson and Tye Cameron, coxed by Dan Sanderson, and again competing in the new boat, had a good row but were narrowly defeated by the host club from Newport in their heat.

The Men’s Novice four of Paddy

Kearney, Sebastian McKeown.

Charlie Walford and Harry Jones, with Joel Smith coxing, made the final of their event but found the opposition too strong for them, eventually finishing in third place.

Prior to the Regatta, Ryde Rowing Club launched a new Coastal Four in an informal ceremony from their Folly based boathouse. The Four was named ‘Julie’ after a major contributor.

Results round up for Ryde Harriers Tuesday saw Ryde Harrrier’s 2019 intake of beginners finish their course by running the 5k they had been building up to.

All participants completed the run they had been training for since the Beginners’ Course started back in April. They will now get the opportunity to carry on with an Intermediate Course run by the club, which will include focus on speed work, hill training and pace.

Ryde Harriers cleaned up at the weekend’s Midsummers Chessell Chase.

Organised

by West Wight Sports & Community Centre, the event is a duathlon, made up of an off road run and bike ride starting

from Chessell Pottery Café.

Club members, Joe EvansMurray and Alex Robertson, took first place for the team entry in a time of 0:37:42, whilst club captain, Trevor McAlister, was 5th overall in the solo category (0:43:10), Tom Brading was in 16th place in the solos (0:51:08), and Sasha Levrier was the 4th female home (0:57:23).

On the mainland, Kate Young ran in the Sydling 10k on Saturday in a time of 1:22:38, whilst on Sunday Samantha Fancourt and daughter Charlotte took part in the Sydling Bell 9k race.

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28th June 2019

Polish up the engines for special speedway event

One of Polish speedway’s most innovative challenges is coming to the Isle of Wight in a UK first, when the NICE Challenge arrives on July 11. The event, which uses uniform two valve 500 cc Jawa lay-down engines fitted into the riders’ own frames, is sure to attract a lot of attention at a time when there is much discussion for reducing engine and running costs within the sport.

The NICE Challenge is at Smallbrook Stadium, Ryde, with admission from 5.30pm ahead the first race at 7pm. It is the first of several European events this year to be backed by the international NICE organisation whose main business is based around home automation systems such as sliding gates and smart home products.

The Smallbrook event will see 12 riders draw lots and select a standard engine that must then be fitted into their frame. The engines are being brought from Poland especially for the event so there will be equality for each competitor. Riders will have a short practice on their nominated engine and then it is on with the racing which is expected to take the form of a 12-heat individual event followed by semi-finals and final.

Wightlink Warriors co-promoter Barry Bishop who travelled to Gdansk to secure the meeting said: “We are delighted to be able to bring this innovative speedway meeting to the UK. In Poland, it is building momentum and I am sure there will be a lot of interest here too. There has been so much talk about engines, tuning, slowing speedway, and so on, well now fans will have the chance to see 12 riders on standard engines battle around the Smallbrook circuit to show and utilise their skill versa their engine tuning to win the NICE Challenge.

“This meeting is a major result for all the hard work everyone has put in on the Island over the last few years, and shows our little club is watched throughout the speedway world. I hope fans from across the UK will come and see this thrilling version of speedway, and will be the big success it should be in action, attendance and identifying potential new ways in which our sport could move forward. Once again, the Island's speedway club has brought something fabulous to the Isle of Wight, and Smallbrook Stadium, and we should all be very proud.”

Cancer survivor to take on 1,000-mile cycle challenge for Wessex Cancer Trust An Islander in remission from lymphoma is embarking on an incredible 1,000-mile cycle challenge in aid of Wessex Cancer Trust.

David Cowley, 33, from Ryde, and his friend, Daniel Lashley, 33, from Warsash, will be taking to their saddles next Monday (July 1) to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

David decided to take on the challenge after receiving support from the charity when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in November 2017.

The cyclists expect the challenge will take around ten days to complete, meaning they will have to cover around 100 miles each day.

They will be staying in hotels and bed and breakfasts along the way with no support team, so they will be carrying their own kit, tools and spares in panniers attached to their bikes, making them far heavier.

They will also be funding the trip themselves to ensure all money raised goes to the cause.

So far, the pair have raised almost £1,500.

David said: “I knew there were lots of forms of cancer but didn’t know much

about lymphoma at all. The information packs provided to me at the beginning of my treatment by Wessex Cancer Trust made understanding things simple. All of the medical professionals I met with helped put my mind at ease. We have chosen to raise sponsorship for the Wessex Cancer Trust to help them in all the good work they do.”

Wessex Cancer Trust’s Community Engagement Manager for the IW, Lorraine White, said: “We are so grateful for David and Daniel’s incredible support, and we wish them the very best of luck in what I’m sure will be an extremely gruelling challenge!

“It is our mission to provide practical and emotional support to those affected by cancer when they need it most, and we’re always very thankful when people want to repay the favour by fundraising for us.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the pair’s fundraising page may do so at: www. wessexcancer.org.uk/Fundraisers/lejog The progress of the pair can be followed at: https://thisislifebehindbars.blogspot.com

Bembridge Sailing Club puts in excellent performance at Itchenor Five Redwings from Bembridge Sailing Club started off on Saturday morning from Under Tyne in bright sunshine in a very pleasant force 3 easterly. Mike and Katherine Toogood in Tara just nosed ahead of Joe Robertson and Martin Bonham in Red Gauntlet II as they rounded Tara and set off on the long reach to West Pole.

The boats spread left and right of the direct track as they tried to work out the best tide and best wind pressure. Mike managed to hold off Joe and crossed the line 25 seconds ahead. John Raymond with Fi Smith in Harlequin was third 30 seconds later.

In the afternoons in-harbour race, after an interesting start with Tara, crewed by Mark Downer and Mike Samuelson, getting ahead after a port tack start at the pin, there was some close racing until the two lead boats, Tara and Harlequin,

missed a course change. Both were well on their way to Pivot, before eventually hearing the Committee Boat sounding her hooter.

Joe, with Colin Samuelson crewing, did pick up the course change and so found themselves unassailably in the lead for the rest of the race. John in Harlequin with Jo Downer and Fi crewing finished second, and Tara had to be content with coming third.

The crews met up again on Sunday for the return passage race to Under Tyne. After some jostling on the line, the Toogoods in Tara were called on course side. However, they were not too disadvantaged and were soon back with the rest before heading down the channel to the harbour entrance. With four X-ODs racing over to Bembridge ahead of them, navigation was relatively straight forward. Red Gauntlet II was

ahead of Harlequin at West Pole with Snowgoose in third.

It was then a run to Under Tyne.

Having crossed the shipping channel quite spread out left and right, it was Snowgoose who reached the finish line about a minute ahead of Tara, with Red Gauntlet II and Harlequin neck and neck and less than a second separating them as they crossed the line.

The four X-ODs managed to hold their spinnakers for the majority of the race and so made reasonably quick progress. No 188, helmed by David Palmer, led almost from the start. No 55, helmed by Alan Perry, and No 51, helmed by David Macgregor, were close until they had passed Hayling Island Sailing Club, and then Alan got some daylight between them and finished in second just under a minute ahead.

28th June 2019

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Good turnout at fundraising spider ride Stone Farm very kindly played host to a fundraising spider ride on Sunday, June 23, with clear round jumping on Sunday morning. There was a good turn out in the sticky weather with riders coming from as far afield as Whitwell. Riders enjoyed cooling drinks, cakes and a lovely social catch up. Sam Martin, the new District

Commissioner for IOW Pony Club is looking forward to using funds towards this year’s much awaited summer camps at the pony club field in August.

For more information have a look on our website or contact Sam on isleofwight@pcuk.org.

Pictures by KEV CANT

Sport

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28th June 2019

Yarmouth Sailing Club reports The non racing section (Simply Sailing) had a cruise to the Red Lion for lunch on June 18.

The grey murky weather put off many but four scows and a kayak had a sail around with one scow and kayak going all the way to the top of the river causeway. A total of 16 sailors made it by car or boat for a friendly lunch at the Red Lion in spite of the weather. Simply Sailing also cruised the river on June 21 with much pleasanter weather.

Race Reports: June 22

Speedway International Steve Worrall joins NICE challenge The keenly awaited NICE Challenge, to be staged at the Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde on Thursday, July 11, has been given a huge boost with the news that GB International and Premiership speedway star, Steve Worrall (pictured), has confirmed his participation in this innovative meeting, where riders will compete on standard, uniform two valve race engines drawn by ballot earlier in the day.

With the speedway Premiership running a full fixture list on the same night, Belle Vue was the only top flight outfit without a meeting, and Steve Worrall was quick to accept the chance to race on the Island.

Steve said: “I’m thrilled to have been invited over to the Isle of Wight to take part in such a unique meeting and with the involvement of the IOW promotion and such a big company like NICE, it has the potential to be one of the best and possibly most influential meetings of the season. In modern day speedway, there is such a fine balance between having the fastest engine and the correct set up and appreciation of track conditions, so to be able to strip everything back and use standard, uniform two valve Jawa engines, putting everyone on a completely level playing field, is really exciting for us riders and will be equally as fascinating for the fans. It’s been six years since I was last racing over on the Island, so I’m really looking forward to getting over there, meeting the fans and hopefully putting on a great show.”

It’s clear Worrall won’t be having things his own way as Island fans will be delighted to know that the Warriors skipper, Ben Morley, will also be in the meeting and eager to test out the standard equipment. He will be joined by his Warriors team mate, Connor King, who has built up a strong following with his tenacious never say die attitude.

Completing the first tranche of riders to be named is Mildenhall heat leader and high scorer, Jason Edwards, winner of the Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy at the start of the season. That victory has earned the Essex charger his place in the NICE Challenge, an experience that will undoubtedly aid the 16-year-old’s development and future prospects.

Warriors co-promoter, Barry Bishop, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Steve and Jason to join Warriors Ben and Connor as the first four names announced. They reflect what we think this meeting will be all about, showcasing skill and control over pure engine power. Personally, I cannot wait to see this meeting and having got to know Steve over recent years, I am absolutely delighted he could fit this meeting into his busy schedule.

We are still working hard to finalise the other eight riders who will come and endorse the importance of this initiative and even at this early stage, I am convinced we will be in for a cracking meeting.”

Nine scows raced. Roger P-E got caught on the wrong side of the line, leaving Chris Jones and Bill Ford to get the best starts. However,

by C mark, Roger had taken the lead, which he comfortably maintained until A mark, where he rounded the wrong way and in correcting, gave the lead to Martin Palmer.

Chris stayed well in the mix throughout and the final result was Martin, Roger then Chris.

Race Reports: June 23

Eight scows and two mixed fleet sailed. In scows, there were good starts by Bill Ford, Martin Palmer and Dick Davies, but in the long run to B mark Martin pulled ahead and held his lead to the end. For a while, John Smith gave Martin a good chase until he hit a wind hole in Mill creek near E. John then fell back into the chasing pack, where Melinda Measor, Bill Ford, Alan Toms and Niall Wallace were fighting hard and constantly changing positions. Eventually, Melinda pulled away near C mark. John had better luck in Mill Creek the second time around and also pulled clear. Final result was: Martin,Melinda then John.

In the mixed fleet Patrick Tate, in his Feva, beat Matthew Whishaw in a wanderer.

Ryde fall to seven wicket defeat It was another frustrating week for Ryde 1st XI in Hants Div 1, as they travelled to Hursley Park missing a number of their prominent players. To make matters worse, Ryde lost the toss and were put into bat on a damp and green pitch, which, as expected, turned out to be very bowler friendly. The Hursley seamers made the most of the conditions and quickly went about the task of bowling Ryde out,

finishing them off inside 26 overs for just 72 runs. In return, Ryde had their hosts at 32-3, with Matt Webb at 3-21 doing all the damage, but Hursley then dug in and recorded a seven wicket victory, which sends Ryde to the foot of the table.

Ryde are hoping to be at full strength this Saturday for the visit of fellow strugglers, Havant II, which is a must win game.

7th straight win for Ryde IIs Ryde IIs continued their perfect start to their season in Hants Div 4 with a seventh straight win, this time at the expense of Hambledon IIs. Ryde batted first on yet another perfect batting strip at Harding Shute, and the in form Stuart Gurney immediately put the bowlers

to task. Gurney went on to hit 75 and was well supported by Simon Berendt (57), whilst Ash Goldsmith contributed 37 not out in a total of 264-8 from the allotted 45 overs.

In return, Hambledon showed great intent, and were up with the run rate for a good part of their innings

as the top three of; Chris Pratt, Mark Le Clercq and Owain Chapman all struck half centuries, before they eventually fell away and finished 52 runs short. Ben Gregory was the pick of the Ryde bowlers with 3-39.

28th June 2019

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Sport

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Island Games to start in July The Island Games are set to start in Gibraltar in just over a week’s time.

The IW Observer looks at this special event for the Isle of Wight.

Once every two years, thousands of athletes from across the globe, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic to the Caribbean, come together to compete in the NatWest International Island Games.

Months of rigorous training are put to the test over a week of events as competitors swim, shoot, sprint and swing their way to victory.

From target and endurance events, to team sports such as football, basketball and volleyball, the Games holds competitions in a diverse range of sports and is open to competitors as young as 13.

The Games welcomes spectators at all events, giving host islanders an exciting and all too rare opportunity to watch live international sport on their home turf. And it’s truly worth watching. Games athletes perform to an exceptional standard, each one of them living proof that small communities can achieve great things.

Growing up in small communities surrounded and shaped by the sea instills an independent spirit,

today, and their achievements are already inspiring the next generation of athletes. Every Games is a chance for talented young islanders to follow in their footsteps and begin the tough and thrilling journey towards sporting greatness.

The NatWest International Island Games isn’t all about scoreboards and medals. It’s a chance for thousands of young people from islands across the world to explore

a fierce pride in culture and heritage, perhaps even a touch of stubbornness in islanders. It’s what gives Games competitors the will and determination to train hard, defy the odds and reach for gold.

Thanks to the NatWest International Island Games, athletes no longer have to look to the mainland to compete at international level, they have the chance to represent their own community and raise the profile of

new places and cultures, share unforgettable experiences and form lasting friendships. In striving to achieve sporting excellence, all Games competitors, as well as their coaches, managers and supporters, help foster and strengthen the core values of sportsmanship and fair play.

This is the Spirit of the Games, which comes alive wherever this unique event takes place.

even the smallest island. Success at the Games is a victory not just for a single competitor or team, but for a whole nation.

Some of the world’s finest sportsmen and women began their careers as Games competitors, including Kelly Sotherton from the Isle of Wight, who competed in the heptathlon and ran the 400m.

You can see many former members of the Games Family in top-level sporting events across the world

Bembridge Bowls: bowlers reach final of County Cup A week in which the spotlight turned on the men and, in particular, on a glorious summer day when they made hay and 28 points out of a possible 30. A good week got even better with late breaking news of another success for a Bembridge lady in county competition.

Leading the way was the Men’s A team with a convincing win over Plessey B. Colin Vines with David Brown, Bill Silvester and Alan Coleman stormed back from an early substantial deficit to win 26 - 12. John Pearce with Norman Cooper, Brian Sewell and Alan Scovell backed this up with a 21 13 win and Chris Emms with Clive Wade, Ken Davis and Alan Cox brought the team home with a 20 - 16 win. Final result: Bembridge 10 points Plessey 0 points.

On adjacent rinks, the Men’s B team matched their colleagues with an overwhelming win over Shanklin E. Geoff Clement with Mike Davidson, Peter Hudson and Peter Swinfield surged ahead after

tea to win well 28 - 13. Keith Watford with Doug Beckett, Vince Whelan and Derek Selway were irresistible in the early stages to lead at one stage 19 - 1 before running out easy winners 31 - 11. In a far more even game, Peter Pickworth with John Graham, Gordon Holmes and Bernie Allen emerged 21 - 19 winners. A welcome return for John Graham, making his debut against his former club. Final result: Bembridge 10 points Shanklin 0 points.

Earlier that same day, the Men’s C team had beaten Sandown E in an encouraging performance.

David Simpson with Ian Vallender, Terry Curtis and Paul Martin won well 27 - 17. Walter Heinrich with Fred Marsh, Anthony Hill and Kev Levonian backed this up when faced with the sometimes difficult task of playing against a triple by winning 21 - 14.25. Although Steve Eynon with Colin Greer, James Cox and Brian Burgess faded towards the end to lose 17 - 22, they had

done enough to ensure the overall shot totals remained in favour of Bembridge. Final result: Bembridge 8 points Sandown 2 points.

In their first home game of the season, the Ladies D team gained revenge for an early defeat by Warner B. Good teamwork on both rinks led to two comfortable wins.

Margaret McKenna with Edwina Blakemore, Edna Marsh and Jackie Pickworth won 25 - 12, and Sue Svensden with Patsy Rothert, Judy Collins and Deborah Meadows also won 18 - 8.25. Final result: Bembridge 6 points Warner 0 points.

On adjacent rinks, the Ladies A team had less success against Ventnor A. Gay Allen with Judy Silvester, Barbara Terry and Val Newton having led in the early stages were pegged back and drew 15 - 15. Anne Bernard with Daphne Lacey, Ruth Emms and Peggy Evans fought all the way but ran into an opposition skip in inspired form and went down 14 - 21. Final result:

Bembridge 1 point Ventnor 5 points.

The Ladies A team bounced back to top form the next day in their away game against Newport A. A hotshot on the second end helped Val Newton with Judy Silvester, Ruth Emms and Gay Allen get off to a flying start and although Newport recovered to level the scores with two ends remaining, a strong finish

by Bembridge ensured a win 21 18. In a less eventful game, Anne Bernard with Daphne Lacey, Judy Eynon and Peggy Evans were ahead from the start and won 16 - 8. Final result: Newport 0 points Bembridge 6 points.

The Ladies C team suffered a setback in their home game against Ryde B but retained their top spot in Division 3. Loraine Whelan with Wendy Thipthorp, Jenny Juby and Jane Swinfield remained in control of their match to win 25 19 but Freda Lambourne with Irene Rogers, Rose Leal and Sue Simpson went down 11 - 32. Final result: Bembridge 2 points Ryde 4 points.

Playing at home, the Men’s E team emerged with 4 points from a fiercely contested game with Ventnor E. Final result: Bembridge 4 points Ventnor 6 points.

In county competition, two Bembridge ladies reached the semi finals of the Two Wood singles with Anne Bernard reaching the final and another appearance at Leamington.

She will be joined there by Annie Morris from Ventnor, who beat Bembridge’s Gay Allen in their semi-final. Best wishes to both finalists in the Nationals.

In the Sandown Cup played at Ryde, Steve Eynon, playing with Judy Eynon, Judy Silvester, Bill Silvester and Gerald Rees, battled their way through 55 ends of bowls, to finish equal first, only to suffer heartache when the title was decided on shot totals and were placed runners up by the closest margin of one shot.

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This weeks highlights...

Speedway

Equestrian

Polish challenge comes to Ryde

By Peter White

28th June 2019

Spider Ride at Stone Farm

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Battling Warriors take point at Plymouth

W&B celebrate awards evening

Plymouth 46, Wightlink Warriors 44 (National League) Whitecroft and Barton Football Club held their annual Presentation Evening at Newclose Cricket Club, which was attended by around 100 players, families and friends, who were welcomed by the Chairman, Nigel True. The awards went to: First Team Manager’s Player – Gareth True. Players Player – Matt Evans. Reserve Team Manager’s Player – Shane East. Players Player – Jack Ewbank. Clubman of the Year – Richard Sanders.

Youth Team Manager’s Player – Sol Carson. Players Player – James Morgan. Clubman of the Year – Finn Kalaker. Liam Dunn Award – Maddox Caws.

The new Youth U-14 team completed their season undefeated and were welcomed by the Chairman.

Plymouth 46 Wightlink Warriors 44 (National League) It was another tight tussle at Plymouth’s Coliseum stadium as the Isle of Wight Wightlink Warriors pushed their hosts all the way in a very entertaining league encounter that eventually saw the home side emerge victorious by just two points.

Although still a little dusty, the newly relaid track served up some good action as the Gladiators looked to cover the injury absence of Nathan Stoneman. This allowed home riders Ben Wilson, Richard Andrews and inform Adam Extance extra rides, and it was the home side that got off to the perfect start when heat one leader Georgie Wood suffered mechanical issues gifting Extance and Wilson a maximum 5-1 start.

Warriors battled back and their persistence kept them in close touch with Plymouth until another Wilson/Extance 5-1 in heat 10 opened the gap to eight points, allowing the visitors to introduce Ben Morley (pictured) as a tactical substitute to join Georgie Wood.

The move paid off with a Warrior 5-1 bringing the point’s difference back to just four.

Pictured: Above: All the award winners.

Right: Manager Steve Rayner and assistant Graham Appell with the IW League, Division One Cup.

However, the Gladiators managed to get the first man home in the next three heats, and Adam Sheppard’s gift point in heat fourteen sealed a home team victory with a race to spare. Heat fifteen went the way of Morley and Wood with another maximum, and a valuable league point had been secured.

Warrior’s team manager on the night, Kevin Sheppard, was full of praise for his charges.

Kevin said: “That’s two nail biters we’ve had here, and both times I have been really proud of the way the boys have ridden. OK, one or two things didn’t quite go our way tonight but that’s speedway, and I think we have put on a good show for the Plymouth crowd tonight. We can take heart from this as we prepare to welcome Kent Kings to Smallbrook next Thursday.”

Plymouth: Ben Wilson 13+1, Adam Extance 10+2, Scott Campos 5+1, Richard Andrews 13, Nathan Stoneman – Rider Replacement, Adam Sheppard 4, Jamie Bursill 1.

Wightlink Warriors: Georgie Wood 9+2, Chris Widman 1, Ryan Terry-Daley 5, Danno Verge 7+1, Ben Morley 15+1, Chad Wirtzfeld 3+1 and Connor King 4+1.

Hurricanes nominated as finalists at Hospitality Social Media Awards 2019 Sandown & Shanklin RFC were represented at the House of Commons on Thursday, June 27, where they have been selected as a finalist in the Rugby Club Category.

The Hospitality Social Media Awards (HSMA) were launched

to encourage and applaud this and celebrate the very best in social media within hospitality companies. They recognise the companies who are using social media to communicate in fresh and innovative ways and to build

a business with customers and potential customers.

The nomination comes as a highly respected accolade for the club, who have used social media to great effect over the past two seasons.

Campaigns on platforms have

been a great tool in player and also volunteer recruitment. Three years ago, the Club was struggling for playing numbers. Social media has introduced no less than nine new players to the 1st and 2nd teams.

Conversely, the activity has

also attracted new supporters, members, and volunteers, providing an excellent source of new blood into the Club.